Phoenix Coyotes must wait to clinch playoff spot

The Coyotes will have to wait at least another day to clinch a Western Conference playoff spot. In the midst of a four-day break, they could have clinched their second consecutive postseason berth Sunday had Dallas lost to Anaheim.

That did not happen, so the Coyotes now can advance to the postseason by earning one point at Los Angeles on Wednesday, or by virtue of a Stars' loss on Tuesday night against Columbus.

Following the games against the Kings, the Coyotes, who are fifth in the Western Conference, conclude the regular season with back-to-back games against the Pacific Division-leading Sharks on Friday at Jobing.com Arena and Saturday in San Jose.

The Coyotes were immersed in a swirl of off-ice issues when Dave Tippett came aboard as coach two seasons ago. He redirected everyone's focus, and the Coyotes set a franchise record with 50 wins last season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The Coyotes lost in the first round to Detroit last year and getting past the first round would be giant step for the franchise, which has been unable to do so since relocating from Winnipeg for the 1996-97 season.

This is not a flashy or over-the-top team. It is one that sticks to a structure, and the "pack mentality" message that Tippett sent from Day 1 remains fluid.

Again, it has been defense, led by goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, that has carried the Coyotes - one of only three teams in the league without a 20-goal scorer - to the brink of a postseason berth.

That does not bother them because of two key factors: The "pack mentality" remains a rallying cry, and as defenseman Adrian Aucoin has said, the team is geared to play - and win - 1-0 games.